C&PRR, Network Rail & Chiltern Railways sign legal agreements for the former Watlington line and land at Princes Risborough station

Steam hauled
trains will be operating on the eight-mile round trip
between Chinnor and Princes Risborough commencing on Mothering Sunday, 26
March. All passengers using Princes Risborough station will notice an ever-changing scene in
2017. Why is this?

Danny Woodward, Chairman of the Chinnor
and Princes Risborough Railway (C&PRR) is absolutely delighted to announce
that after a lengthy negotiation, the legal agreements enabling major works to
be carried out at Princes Risborough can commence. A restored platform and
associated track will be provided to enable passengers to change trains there
for Chinnor later this year, after a gap of 60 years.

The C&PRR is 100% volunteer operated and Danny Woodward said:

"This is a
major step forward for us. All this was anticipated 25 years ago, at the
formation of the C&PRR which has been in discussion with British Rail,
Railtrack and Network Rail in that time. Our sincere thanks go to those in
Network Rail and Chiltern Railways who have supported us over the last couple
of years in securing the lease, and the many other agreements and contracts
necessary to get where we are.”

The main reason for the lengthy legal process is that there is no other similar
suite of Agreements in the rail industry. Although the C&PRR has a lease on
the land and track, Network Rail and Chiltern Railways can still use the
facilities when required.

Network Rail
gave permission to begin site clearance work over the Winter in recognition
that the legal agreements would be concluded imminently. So far, teams of
volunteers have moved an estimated 70 tons of rubble accumulated in the last 60
years since regular passenger trains to Chinnor and Watlington were withdrawn.

Oh dear what can the matter be, the
Watlington Flyer demolished a lavatory….

The enabling works and rubble clearance revealed some seemingly newly repaired brickwork
on the former Watlington platform by the former gents toilet. It appears that a
train hit the buffers and then collided with the platform right outside the
gents toilet. The collision demolished the toilet supports which brought about
the collapse of the toilet! The C&PRR’s Mr Growcott would be delighted to
find out exactly what happened.

The railway needs YOU

The C&PRR
is now looking for new volunteers to help with the platform restoration and rebuilding,
track laying, installing fences, in fact the list is endless. If you have any
skills that can help or any practical inclination towards building, or DIY
skills, please contact the C&PRR Volunteer Training Manager at volunteersupport@chinnorrailway.co.uk